I, too, have had some concern over being able to load ammo that shoots better than off the shelf factory stuff. I did achieve that, but it took some effort and with only select loads, not across the board.
...
DF
I got some contract overrun "police/sniper" 308's from Norma loaded with 168 Match Kings. It was hard to equal, let alone beat.
Black Hills .308 match ammo. used to be like that. Haven't bought any in a while.
I was hunting near Lephalale in RSA earlier this year. In town there is the most well stocked rifle shop I have seen anywhere. The owner showed me around and took me into his vault in which was stored rifles waiting to be delivered to new owners. He said that rifles chambered for 6.5 CM accounted for over 80% of his sales of new rifles.
A Creed done as a classic stalking rifle would really float my boat. Maybe I could get a FAUX Ruger done this way by J Renner. http://www.rjrenner.com/pre-war-77.html
It would be good for all the small to medium Boky's on a plains or ranch hunt.
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli
I bet there’s an old shoebox somewhere from the 1920’s..... full of hand-written letters between old WWI buddies..... bitching about that “new-fangled .270 Winchester” fad. “It’ll never catch on”.... “how’s it better than my Krag”..... etc....
You better pray to the God of Skinny Punks that this wind doesn't pick up......
I bet there’s an old shoebox somewhere from the 1920’s..... full of hand-written letters between old WWI buddies..... bitching about that “new-fangled .270 Winchester” fad. “It’ll never catch on”.... “how’s it better than my Krag”..... etc....
Interesting premise.
Don't ya know those conversations occurred. People don't like change, tend to cling to what they're comfortable with. Not much different today.
The .30-30 (excuse me, the .30 W.C.F.) upset a LOT of hunters in the 1890's. And then when some were just getting used to the .30-30, Winchester brought out that damned .270, which no real hunter needed because the .30-30 was plenty.
Of course, the radical 6.5x55 had already been around for over 30 years when the .270 appeared--but in 1925 even the Swedsih and Norwegian armies hadn't gotten around to loading 139-grain spitzers in it. sticking to the tried-and-true 156 roundnose.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
The 6.5 CM is just part of the ongoing evolution. It's the latest cool thing which will be replaced at some point by another cool thing.
The lesson is that the gun manufacturers, ammunition makers and engineers have to work together to produce better shooting system - the cartridge and rifle. History has seen its share of good ideas that failed because of poor execution.
Now, let's clog. And remember, everyone has to work together to make things work.
I think there are different reasons why a person winds up with one-or-another version of the 6.5mm cartridges.
In the last year, one of my buddies who only owned a 30-30 wanted to add a bolt-action rifle to his safe, and asked my opinion on which to buy. I had him get a 6.5 creed, because I knew he didn't reload, and I wanted to have him save some bucks on getting a very accurate rifle that would have a good supply of decent off-the-shelf ammo in his vicinity. He spent less that 300 bucks and has a great shooter... he is delighted.
I personally like the history behind the 6.5x55 swede, and that's what I chose to shoot... I reload, and knew that I could dial in a decent load with a modern action and good barrel. Mission accomplished, am shooting sub MOA and like the fact that the round has been here since the 1890's....
So, different strokes for different folks. It's all good.
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” --- Will Rogers
how many grains of 26 are you using, for my reference. I just bought some 26 to try in my swede
51.5 gr. with the 129-130s for just around 2,950 fps.. Many are loading more but I found R26 to be spikey pressure wise over 90F degrees which I sometimes encounter hunting. Mule Deer said just about anything will show more pressure in hot weather some just less. Check the Berger and Speer data as it will keep you from redlining with R26 which doesn't show traditional pressure signs until you are way up there, doubly so in modern cases and especially in the AI's. I consider the Swede a modern case design.
Also put some heat on the load Winchesters or Federal 215Ms. Seems to act like a ball powder even in moderate sized cases. The Magnum primer reduced ES & SD for whatever that is worth.
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli
I think there are different reasons why a person winds up with one-or-another version of the 6.5mm cartridges.
In the last year, one of my buddies who only owned a 30-30 wanted to add a bolt-action rifle to his safe, and asked my opinion on which to buy. I had him get a 6.5 creed, because I knew he didn't reload, and I wanted to have him save some bucks on getting a very accurate rifle that would have a good supply of decent off-the-shelf ammo in his vicinity. He spent less that 300 bucks and has a great shooter... he is delighted.
I personally like the history behind the 6.5x55 swede, and that's what I chose to shoot... I reload, and knew that I could dial in a decent load with a modern action and good barrel. Mission accomplished, am shooting sub MOA and like the fact that the round has been here since the 1890's....
So, different strokes for different folks. It's all good.
I ended up buying 2 6.5's in the span of a month. The first one is an old Carl Gustav m96. However I can't run super hot loads in it, because it's an old Military rifle. Primarily the only reason the 6.5 creed outruns the Swede. This is how it does with iron sights, after I put a taller front sight blade on it:
100 yard targets
Then I was wanting another 6.5, so I chose the Creed. Still working on breaking the barrel in and load development, but this is how it's shooting:
I think you advised your friend well. For me, I like each 6.5 equally. They serve 2 different purposes and work equally well...
Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.